By Andy Spearman
The spokesperson of the Make Drogheda Toll Free campaign, Ken O Heiligh, has called on Drogheda’s three TDs to work together to sort out the thorny issue of the Donore Road, Ramp Tolls at Junction 9, M1 which he says has dragged on for far too long. He was speaking afer the Make Drogheda Toll Free campaign’s 20th New Year’s Day protest which took place yesterday.
The volume of traffic in Drogheda has increased beyond recognition in the 20 years since former Councillor Ken O Heiligh began protesting about the toll that has contributed to the traffic chaos in the town centre as drivers leave the M1 rather than pay the toll. This has been exacerbated by the closure this year of the Obelisk Bridge.
It is not just the traffic levels that are rising either, the toll charges are also climbing year on year. On 1st January 2022 the toll rose from €1.90 to €2.10 for cars and yesterday it rose again – this time to €2.30.
During those two decades the Make Drogheda Toll Free campaign has lobbied locally and at national level to abolish the strangle hold that these secondary tolls are having on our town.
Each year on New Year’s Day the “Make Drogheda Toll Free” campaign have protested at the junction nine toll gate on the Donore Road. They were there yesterday and received great support from passing motorists.
“The response we received was both heartening and inspiring” Ken said. “Many individuals not only expressed their solidarity with the protest but also willingly shared their contact details, expressing a keen interest in being informed about future events and initiatives.
“The positive atmosphere and the unity displayed during the protest underscore the significance of collective action in addressing concerns and the impact of the Drogheda Tolls”.
Mr. O Heiligh told Drogheda Life that the Make Drogheda Toll Free campaign has no allegiance to any political party or independents and he called for Drogheda’s three TDs to come together and agree on a strategy to have the ramp tolls removed. “Without a sustained and cross-party campaign the problems will continue for another decade” he said.
He pointed out that we are now into the third decade of the 30-year tolling contract and that it would perhaps make commercial sense now for the government to buy out the operators from the final years of the arrangement.
“We are committed to fostering positive change and envision a future in Drogheda without secondary toll charges” he said.
“Our goal is to eliminate the toll barriers that impede the free movement of residents across the town. We appreciate the support received during our protest and eagerly anticipate ongoing collaboration to achieve a toll-free and more accessible Drogheda.”
